Author Archives: garpinbc

About garpinbc

Author of the forthcoming "Same Love" published by Lorimer, as well as the memoir "Foodsluts at Doll & Penny's Cafe", and the YA short, "Haters Gotta Hate".

Back to my Roots: All the books I’ve loved before

Posted on March 14, 2017 by garpinbc

A couple of weeks ago I saw a great musical by  the local playwright, Dave Deveau, called the Elbow Room: The Musical, about the Davie Street breakfast spot that is an institution in Vancouver’s gay community. I’m sucker for stories … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT, Memoir, Memoir/biography, Pop Culture, Queer Culture, The Eighties, The Seventies, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does this hairstyle make my face look fat? Review of “The Princess Diarist”

Posted on January 15, 2017 by garpinbc

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher My rating: 3 of 5 stars I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I was expecting a book about the day-to-day antics of shooting one of the most popular movies … Continue reading →

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Crazy Like a Princess

Posted on January 11, 2017 by garpinbc

Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher My rating: 4 of 5 stars After reading Carrie Fisher’s Shockaholic, I’m amazed the world had her for as long as it did. I’ve read most of Carrie Fisher’s books, and although I’m always impressed with … Continue reading →

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When the going gets tough: Flash review of Born to Run

Posted on November 20, 2016 by garpinbc

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was the only thing that got me through the 2016 US election. I loved reading about his relationship with Clarence Clemons and his father; his career … Continue reading →

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The fastest way to a nerd’s heart is with Toy Story shoes

Posted on October 31, 2016 by garpinbc

I live in Canada, but I’ve been listen to NPR religiously. I love the CBC, but I prefer how NPR reporters deliver the news. There could be a zombie apocalypse in Iowa, but the reporter’s voices would still lull me … Continue reading →

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The kids are not alright: Stephen King’s “Children of the Corn”

Posted on October 7, 2016 by garpinbc

Children of the Corn (Kindle Single) by Stephen King My rating: 4 of 5 stars As someone who is constantly referring to my enemies as “The Children of the Corn”, I thought it was time to actually read the story. … Continue reading →

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The Ballad of Black Tom: Something Wicked Comes to Harlem

Posted on October 5, 2016 by garpinbc

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle My rating: 4 of 5 stars I LOVED this book. Nothing better than a good novella, especially one as creepy as The Ballad of Black Tom. Lots of shady characters, creepy houses, … Continue reading →

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One Fucking Scary Clown: Stephen King’s “It”

Posted on October 5, 2016 by garpinbc

It by Stephen King My rating: 4 of 5 stars I picked this up to cure me of my “Stranger Things” hangover. I had seen the TV mini-series back in the day and had always meant to read through it. … Continue reading →

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Worst Case Scenario: Underground Airlines

Posted on October 5, 2016 by garpinbc

Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters My rating: 3 of 5 stars “Underground Airlines” is a great speculative-fiction/mystery novel; sort of a The Man in the High Castle lite. I tore through this one in a few days. Lots of … Continue reading →

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Watching Blazing Saddles in the current political climate

Posted on September 24, 2016 by garpinbc

If there’s an upside to the rash of celebrity deaths this year, it’s that The Rio Theatre has been honouring the deceased with retrospectives of their best movies. First it was Bowie, then it was Prince, and lately it’s been … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Current Events, Humor, Memoir, Movies, Politics, Rio Theatre, The Seventies, Vancouver | Tagged , , | Leave a comment